New Lotus Elite unveiled

The new luxury model from Lotus is a 2+2 seater with 5.0L V8 engine and rear wheel drive

Ten days ahead of the official debut at the Paris Motor Show, Lotus has revealed its future direction with the new Elite.

Set for release in spring 2014, this GT's sleek lines encase a 2+2 layout, a front-mid positioned 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS meaning drivers can expect to go from 0-100 km/h in approximately 3.5 to 3.7 seconds.

There will be a slick retractable hard top version and the optional use of hybrid technology with KERS.

Dany Bahar, CEO of Group Lotus said: “There’s no denying that the Elite is breathtakingly beautiful to look at but it’s so much more than that, it’s a car that over delivers in all other aspects as well. One could say it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, lightweight yet still reassuringly solid. It’s a car that we are exceptionally proud of at Lotus and we truly believe that there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of styling and performance.

“Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning. It’s worth noting this sector has been very successful for us in the past and now the Elite raises the benchmark higher still.”